Page 75 of Frisco

I was speechless.

There was nothing else to say.

25

SHANE

We rode in late, but the guys were all still up and raging. We could see the bonfire from five miles out, and when we drove in, they all made room. I saw Stripes heading our way, but Crow came first. His sergeant at arms was with him, and another guy.

“How’d it go?” Crow asked.

I skimmed over the group, seeing Machete coming up behind Stripes.

Boise stepped up next to me, and I felt the rest of the guys who’d gone with us gather behind me.

I nodded to them, indicating they could take off. They dispersed, but Boise stayed.

Crow gave him a hard look, but Boise didn’t react. He never did.

“We kept pace with them. Followed them past Lancaster,” I reported.

Crow nodded. “You think they’re crossing tonight?”

I shook my head. “Don’t know, but they took off after the roast.”

“Who’s with them?”

“Couple of mine.”

Crow’s eyes sharpened. “They good? They’ll be safe?”

I nodded. “They’re good. Special forces. They won’t get caught.”

Crow’s shoulders relaxed a bit. “Good. Uh, I’d like to have a conversation with you later, at some point.”

That meant: alone, no one else around, and come find me for it.

“Sounds good.”

He was nodding again, and seemed a lot looser. The tension had left him. He waved a hand around. “Everyone’s partying. We can talk tomorrow at some point. You and your guys should let loose. Looks like we dodged the cartel for now.”

That meant the plan was the same. We’d pull out, but in the coordinated way we’d decided.

Boise was on his phone. “Heckler’s calling you,” he said as he put it away.

My phone lit up, and I gave Crow a nod. “I need to take this.”

“Relax for the night, guys. See you in the morning.”

I answered, but didn’t move away. Something about Crow’s easy acceptance didn’t sit right with me. I spoke into the phone, “I’m here. One second.”

“Got it.”

I nodded toward Crow before facing Stripes. “You’re good at blending. Watch him all night.”

Stripes didn’t blink or react. He nodded once and moved in the direction Crow had just gone.

I glanced back once, seeing Crow on the house’s front porch. There was a girl in his arms, so he wasn’t talking business yet. Stripes stooped, grabbed a drink, and pulled out a packet of smokes.

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